CUISINART DBM-8P1 Coffee grinder: Full Review

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is an electric coffee grinder designed to grind whole coffee beans for a perfect cup of coffee. Part of Cuisinart's Supreme Grind collection, this burr grinder provides adjustable grind control to customize grinds from ultra-fine to coarse, ideal for all types of coffee brewing methods.

With its heavy-duty motor and stainless steel burrs, the DBM-8 can quickly grind up to 8 ounces of beans at a time. It features an automatic shutoff for safety and convenience. The coffee grinder has a removable grind chamber for easy cleaning and uses a activate to grind operation, starting immediately when the hopper is pushed down. With its commercial grade performance, solid build and ease of use, the Cuisinart DBM-8 burr grinder is a popular choice for home coffee brewing.

Design & Build Quality

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is well-constructed with a heavy-duty zinc die-cast housing that feels sturdy and durable. The exterior has a brushed stainless steel finish that gives it a sleek, high-end look.

Inside, the grinder uses stainless steel grinding burrs to pulverize the coffee beans. The burrs are durable and designed to minimize heat buildup and preserve flavor. The burr size is medium, providing a good balance between grind speed and consistency.

The bean hopper, ground coffee bin, and all parts that come in contact with coffee are BPA-free, ensuring no plastic flavors get imparted into your morning cup. Overall, the materials and construction quality of this grinder are impressive for the price point.

Another comparable model to consider is the Wancle P00273. This grinder has an elegant design and a powerful motor that ensures a consistent grind every time. It boasts an easy-to-use interface and multiple grind settings to accommodate different brewing methods. The Wancle P00273 is also constructed with high-grade materials, making it a reliable and durable choice.

Grind Settings

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill provides a wide range of grind settings, from ultra fine for espresso to extra coarse for French press. The grind size can be easily adjusted using the simple turn dial on the front of the grinder. There are 18 different grind settings clearly marked from fine to coarse, allowing you to precisely dial in the size you need for your brew method.

The grind adjustment is very easy to use. Simply turn the dial to the desired setting before grinding. You can also make adjustments while grinding if you want to tweak the grind size on the fly. The settings provide a full range for any coffee brewing method - from Turkish coffee to cold brew. Reviewers praise the grind settings for being easy to adjust yet able to lock in tightly on the chosen size.

Another excellent option to consider is the KIDISLE CG835. This model boasts 12 grind settings ranging from fine to coarse, catering to various brewing methods such as pour-over, Aeropress, and French press. Its intuitive control dial allows users to quickly find and lock in their preferred grind size. Built with durable stainless steel burrs, the KIDISLE CG835 ensures consistent grind quality for a superb coffee experience. Highly rated by users, it's a solid choice for anyone looking to achieve the perfect grind at home.

Grinding Performance

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill delivers excellent grinding performance that produces consistent grinds at a good speed.

The stainless steel grinding burrs run at a lower RPM which helps minimize noise, heat buildup, and oxidation that can affect the coffee's flavor. Even at its fastest grind setting, it operates at a reasonable noise level that won't disturb others.

The grinder produces very consistent grinds thanks to the precision grinding burrs and smooth motor. Whether grinding for drip coffee or espresso, the particle size remains uniform with little powder or boulders in the batch.

It can grind enough coffee for a full 12 cup pot in less than a minute. While not the absolute fastest home coffee grinder available, the grind speed is quick enough for daily use without excessive wait times.

Overall, the grinding performance of the Cuisinart burr grinder makes it easy to achieve the ideal grind for any brew method and produce great tasting coffee. The consistency, speed, and low noise earns high marks in real world use.

Ease of Use

The Cuisinart DBM-8P1 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is designed with convenience and usability in mind. Its controls are simple and intuitive, with a one-touch power bar that allows you to select off, grind, or pulse. Just choose your preferred setting, add whole beans to the hopper, and press the power bar to grind right into the grounds bin below.

The grinding chamber and hopper lift out easily for quick cleaning. All parts are dishwasher safe except for the housing base. Wiping the unit down regularly prevents static cling and keeps your grounds pouring smoothly. The hopper holds up to 8 ounces of beans at a time, minimizing the need for constant refilling.

Overall, the DBM-8P1 offers effortless, mess-free operation. With its smooth grinding action, straightforward controls, and easy cleaning, this burr grinder takes the hassle out of daily coffee grinding. Its simple, efficient design allows anyone to grind fresh beans with minimal time and effort.

Grind Capacity

The Cuisinart Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is designed to grind enough coffee beans for a crowd. It features an 8-ounce bean hopper, which is large enough to hold several days' worth of beans.

During use, the grinder can process up to 32 cups of coffee at a time. The chute is wide enough to allow a large volume of beans to funnel down into the burrs quickly. You can grind directly into the removable grinds bin, which can hold up to 32 ounces of ground coffee. Or you can grind directly into your coffee pot or French press.

The large capacity makes this grinder convenient for grinding coffee for a big family or for entertaining. You don't have to stop to refill the hopper or empty the bin nearly as often. It's also great for grinding a variety of beans. The generous 8-ounce hopper means you don't have to worry about blending flavored beans. You can ensure each batch of grounds is from one bean type.

Overall, if you regularly grind large batches of coffee beans, the sizeable hopper and 32-ounce grind capacity of the Cuisinart Supreme Grind should meet your needs. You can grind enough for a crowd in one quick session.

Safety Features

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill comes equipped with useful safety features to protect the user during operation.

Overload Protection

An important safety feature is the overload protection, which automatically shuts off the motor if the grinder jams or overheats. This prevents damage to the unit and potential injuries if it gets clogged. Users appreciate knowing it won't burn out the motor if something gets stuck.

Stability

The grinder has a heavy-duty and stable base that keeps it firmly planted on the countertop during use. It does not vibrate, wobble, or move around, even when grinding a full hopper of beans. This is important for safety, as you don't want the grinder falling over or slipping off the counter while in use. The rubber feet also help grip the surface.

Overall, the safety features like overload protection and stability make this an excellent choice for households with kids. You can rest assured the grinder won't tip or cause any accidents.

Pros & Cons

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill offers solid grinding performance and versatility for the price point. Here's a quick rundown of the main pros and cons:

Pros

• High quality stainless steel grinding burrs provide a consistent grind
• 18 grind settings for fine to coarse grinds
• Large 8oz bean hopper capacity
• Removable grind chamber for easy transfer
• Brushed stainless steel housing with sleek design
• 3-year limited warranty

Cons

• Louder than some other grinders when in use
• Not as many grind settings as higher end models
• Beans can jam if fed too quickly
• No portafilter holder for espresso grinding
• Grounds bin could be larger

Overall, the Cuisinart burr grinder delivers quality and consistency for drip coffee and basic espresso drinks. The downsides are fairly minor given the price point. For those seeking lots of grind settings or dedicated espresso grinding, higher end models may be preferable.

Comparable Options

The Cuisinart DBM-8 is a popular mid-range automatic burr coffee grinder. Here are some other comparable options to consider in the same price range:

• Baratza Encore Coffee Grinder - The Encore is a very popular entry-level burr grinder known for its consistent grinds and ease of use. It has 40 settings from fine to coarse. The downside is it has a smaller hopper and isn't quite as fast as the Cuisinart DBM-8.

• Breville Smart Grinder Pro - This grinder has 60 precise grind settings and dose control. It has a lot of features for precise brewing and dosing into a portafilter. The downside is it’s slightly pricier than the DBM-8.

• OXO Brew Conical Burr Coffee Grinder - This grinder is very beginner friendly with 15 settings from fine to coarse. It has a built-in timer and hopper, but doesn't allow for portafilter dosing like the Breville. A good option at a lower price point.

• Baratza Virtuoso+ - A step up from the Encore, the Virtuoso+ has 40 grind settings, digital timers, and a heavier-duty motor. It excels at grind consistency for brew methods like pour over and drip. It's a great performing grinder but costs more than the DBM-8.

The Cuisinart DBM-8 strikes a nice balance between quality, features, and price compared to other automatic burr grinders in this range. It’s a reliable mid-range choice with versality for grinding into a portafilter or paper filter brewer.

Conclusion

The Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind Automatic Burr Mill is a high-quality electric coffee grinder that delivers consistent grinds for optimal coffee flavor extraction. Its stainless steel grinding burrs and heavy-duty motor allow quick grinding without overheating the beans.

The grinder offers 18 precise grind settings to accommodate various brew methods, from espresso to cold brew. Its 8-ounce bean hopper and removable grind chamber make it easy to grind enough beans for 4-18 cups at a time. Safety features like the hopper locking system and electric timer prevent accidents and over-grinding.

Overall, the Cuisinart DBM-8 is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a versatile, automatic burr coffee grinder. It produces uniform grinds, has a large capacity, and includes features found on more expensive models. The grind settings allow versatile use across brew methods. The grinder is easy to use and built to last. For an automatic electric burr grinder under $50, the Cuisinart DBM-8 Supreme Grind is hard to beat and earns our recommendation.